To think that this 'influencer' should pay me for my work, not ask for freebies?

[Megatron]

I'm a bit flummoxed. I have a side business (cookies) which ticks along nicely in normal circumstances, although it's going ok during lockdown, luckily.

I had a message from someone this morning saying that it is her mum's birthday soon and can I make her two dozen cookies and deliver them to her this weekend. She lives about 30 miles away from me and 'as payment' she is willing to 'put photos on my insta page and say how great they are. I have a large following and this would be good business for you'. Now, I don't know how these things work, but I think she's absolutely taking the piss? Her 'large following' is less than 500 people and even aside from that, I don't want to work for free then do a 60 mile round trip to deliver (I normally only deliver within 5 mile radius, it's just a tiny sideline for me). I'm not some big shot looking for tonnes of business, I just like enough for a bit extra. They're also quite detailed cookies and each one takes a while to decorate - she clearly thinks they look ok but not enough to actually pay me for them.

Am I hopelessly out of date and this is just how it's done or is she absolutely taking the piss. What the fuck even is an 'influencer' anyway?

My dog has more followers than that!

I was just about to say the same.

I would out her publically- but then I hate influencers and hope that if CV eliminates one way of life it is the fake people of instagram.

24 cookies- no-one needs 24 cookies

Don't feel bad OP, she is a cheeky chancer who has nothing to offer your business. Your reply was very polite and to the point.

Can I see your cookies?

An influencer with sub 500 followers?

I've got 4,454 followers for my little eBay shop!

Ha ha ha - the delete button is your friend.
Alternatively you could post on your insta that CFInfluencer was really interested in your cookies and you were so sorry not to be able to help her out because you have lots of demand in your usual 5 mile radius and [sad sad face] she is 60 miles away but you really look forward to her ordering if she ever moves closer [happy happy face].

Yes, taking the utter piss. And also not really an 'influencer' if the account only has 500 followers. Add two or even three 0s and maybe... I'd say she really does want them but is pulling the typical chancer's tactic of claiming you need them more than they need you.

She’s probably sent the same message to multiple bakers, don’t feel as if someone thinks your product should be free she’s just a cheeky chancer.

Sorry, clicked YABU by accident. Tell her to do one. There are loads of people about who'll take the piss if you let them, and some of them are worth millions.

Omg thats really riled me.....who even has the brass neck to ask you to work for free and then deliver them to her aswell...i'd be sending her a swift fuck off !!!

I’ve seen an excellent response though

Say you will give her a code and if the cost of all the cookies plus postage is covered within 30 days in full by all of her followers, you will refund her purchase.

I don't do Instagram so I don't know much about it, I've only a Facebook page. Maybe I need to get a bit more up to date.

The rule for influencers is:

If they're not famous, there's no benefit to giving them free stuff
If they are famous, they have enough money to buy things and not get freebies.

In reality the free stuff influencers get is from established brands who actively want their brand associated with people who fit their image, not the other way round!

5,000 followers wouldn’t even be influenced level let alone 500.

I would use this to your advantage make it clear you work hard for your money and you can’t abide vacuous “influencers” that expect to scrounge off small business. Screenshot and pop it on your page - you might even go viral for getting her told. No one likes a CF

name and shame them

There is a new way that businesses are dealing with these CF requests from 'influencers'.

Tell her that your terms are that influences pay in full and will receive a unique discount code to share with their followers. Once sales using the discount code exceed the cost of the original order the 'Influencer' will have their order refunded. It stops them asking for free products and then doing nothing to promote the brand.

@Megatron

I don't do Instagram so I don't know much about it, I've only a Facebook page. Maybe I need to get a bit more up to date.

It does sound like your cookies might be Insta-friendly.

Why not open an account of your own, take some lovely photos and see how that develops?

Don't feel bad, it's no reflection on your cookies. She's just a grabby sort who wanted something for free and thought you would be naive enough to agree!

Social media has spawned new forms of cheeky fuckery. There's a downside to everything.

You'll never hear from her again, which is a good thing.

Don't feel shit, OP! This person has offered to take your wares and pay you something almost worthless for them.

Would you feel shit if she'd said she'd like a batch of cookies, and she'd give you her old ironing board and a single sock?

Her offering was crap, and she's made a fool of herself. It's not your problem.

Say you will give her a code and if the cost of all the cookies plus postage is covered within 30 days in full by all of her followers, you will refund her purchase.

Nope don't do that. I used to deal with these people all the time. Once you do this, you get loads coming in.

Op would be better starting her own instagram account than spending time, that people seeking freebie take.

she clearly thinks they look ok but not enough to actually pay me for them

That's one of the options. Or she thinks they look awesome but can't afford to spend any money on treats, and will go as far as making a fool out of herself to try to get them for nothing.

Seriously?? I have more than 500 followers on twitter!!

the actual rule for 'influencers' is 'ignore'.

be influenced by real scientists, artists, achievers. Not over made up inflated lips professional shoppers.

I have a few hundred followers on my page, can you send me some cookies?!

Ffs, what a CF - that's so out of line. I don't understand the mentality of these people, there's absolutely no way I could bring myself to ask someone like you for free cookies and think that was acceptable, maybe asking for a discount if ordering hundreds but this is just rude.

shed need to have at least 250,000 followers for it to make a difference. but if you're cookies are intricate insta sounds like a good platform for you. I'm sure you could bust her 500 followers quickly.